The Columbus Lowndes Development Link, in partnership with the Columbus-Lowndes County Convention and Visitors Bureau, invites all newcomers to the Lowndes County area to attend the first official Newcomer's Orientation.

Emotions were high Monday afternoon at Columbus Middle School as colleagues, supporters, friends and family gathered to pay tribute and say goodbye to Dr. Del Phillips, former superintendent of the Columbus Municipal School District.

Monday was the last day of school for Fairview Elementary and most schools across the Columbus Municipal School District, but the hallways were surprisingly quiet as students and teachers geared up for summer ... school, that is.

Two weeks of increased seat belt ticketing began Monday. The Starkville Police Department issued a friendly reminder Monday that it will participate in the nationwide "Click It or Ticket" campaign May 23 - June 5.

A downtown landmark is partially boarded up now in response to a request by the city's building inspection department. Plywood was recently placed over some of the side and rear windows of the old Masonic Temple, located at the corner of Main and Fourth streets.

An 11-year-old boy was killed in the crash, according to Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office representatives. County fire officials said two of five occupants in the vehicle were ejected and a third was trapped in the vehicle.

For the past two years, they've pondered the mysteries of the universe together, but Friday afternoon, the biggest problem Columbus High School's International Baccalaureate seniors faced was how to keep Zachary Thomas' cap soundly on his head during Saturday's graduation.